Shooting from the Hip

While there’s been plenty of firm handshakes, wide smiles and flawless product demos, The SHOT Show hasn’t been going so smoothly for some — namely 21 industry executives who were rounded up by the FBI.

According to Business Week, the feds used the show as an opportunity to pinpoint those allegedly willing to pay illegal kickbacks to an African defense minister. “This is one case where what happens in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas,” Lanny Breuer, Assistant Attorney General, was quoted as saying at a news conference about the case.

On the lighter side, Jim Braaten, an outdoors writer, blogger and photographer, was a Twitter photo rock star yesterday. He snapped pictures of the busy press room and of famed guitarist and gun rights supporter Ted Nugent. “Celebs like Ted Nugent draw booth traffic. The line for Ted’s autograph must be 150′ long. Wowsa!!,” he tweeted as @jim7226, Braaten’s Twitter handle.

Ted Nugent at SHOT Show 2010

And if you’re looking for more pictures, check out a great slideshow on The NRA Blog. Not only does the SHOT Show bring together gun industry bigwigs, but with more than 1,300 registered media, it’s also the largest gathering of the international press who cover the outdoor industry (check out the next video). Media outlets such as PoliceOne.com and the Military Times have had extensive online coverage of the show. Check out PoliceOne.com’s coverage here and Military Times coverage here.

Both Military Times and Military.com have published stories this week about the Bible reference scandal on Trijicon’s rifle scopes. Christian over at Defense Tech attempted to get an additional statement from the company at its SHOT Show booth. Unfortunately they only handed him a copy of a prepared statement and sent him on his merry way.

As for the state of the industry, NSSF president Steve Sanetti said its “the strongest” he’s seen it (Isn’t that what industry leaders always say?). Watch his address at Tuesday’s industry dinner.

And now, let’s check out what else has been taking place at the Sands Expo & Convention Center. Outdoor Channel’s Michael Bane took the logical route and did his weekly shooting podcast from show.

Ryan Smith shows The Outdoor Channel Bushmaster Firearms’ ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle), the much-hyped rifle that starred in a leaked YouTube video prior to the show.

Take a look at the laser grips Crimson Trace was showing off at its booth.

More laser talk: Michael Bane chats with Lou Riley about a new series of green laser products from Laser Genetics ND3 series, a product that’s already been labeled a “game-changing technology.”

EOTAC had some new offerings this year as well. Fernado tells us about their lizard-pattern, old-school field jacket.

Outdoor Channel’s catches up with Nick Mundt at the Bushnell booth. He talks about their Bone Collector line of optics, which features a HD flashlight “that is probably the coolest flashlight I’ve ever used.”

Gun Websites gives us a first look at a .22lr rifle, which is said to be styled after the H&K 416.

What would the SHOT Show be without a tip from a pro? Max Michel, Sig Sauer team captain, shows the proper shooting stance.

Find out what TAPCO brought to this year’s show for the AR-15 rifle system.

Discover what wonders the Browning booth holds.

Watch Mike Kroll of L3-EOTech talk about its line of new sights including SU231, M40GL, EEXP, 512 and G23 Gen II.

Reload in style with the new Dillon Precision’s BFR 50BMG Reloading Machine.

Have an interest in Hydro Weapons? Because that’s what Spencer Ladd of MGI demonstrates in this video.

The SHOT Show even featured a few guns up for auction, including the 10,000,001st Remington 870, up for grabs on gunbroker.com.

You definitely need a place to put all those firearms. Bruce Pendleton, owner of Pendleton Safe, debuts the Pendleton Valuables Management series of gun safes.

And finally, The Outdoor Channel posted this about SHE Outdoor Apparel, specially made gear for wilderness women. “The No. 1 thing that keeps those girls out of the woods is being too cold,” said Pam Zaitz of SHE Outdoor Apparel. “We took care of that last year. But it’s too warm.”

Now onto the tweets, of which there were many. Aside from the general aches and pains that come from endless booth-to-booth walking and unfortunate taxi lines, most attendees only accentuated the positive with their tweets.

@gunnuts_radio: Another day, another load of sweet goodness for gun nuts. #shotshow is jam packed with everything for the hunter and shooter!

@jim7226: Things are hopping on the #SHOTshow floor this morning. Here’s folks checking out the new SigSauer offerings f http://tweetphoto.com/9223613

@BrianJeromeKing: Vegas officials are reporting their PHUN meter is off the charts thanks to @PheasantPhun & @TeamHuntress! #SHOTshow

@ShooterGifts: #ShotShow – Walk it all and get in shape…we’ve been told the show is about 14-18 miles of vendors. Lots to see.

@robertstarling: Minor flooding at most intersections along Rainbow #vegas #shotshow

@thenakedgrape: Food discount tonight for our friends at #shotshow – easy too – just show us your badge. We feature great wines & live… (via @GrapeVegas)

@jim7226: Some #SHOTshow products really make me laugh. At one booth they’re selling survival strobes that would be hardly visible at 30 feet.

@ocabj: One of the better SHOT Show freebies I snagged: http://bit.ly/7uOA4M

@airsoftpacific: We have a Shot Show 2010 gallery up at AP. Thanks goes out to Ben Martin for sharing photos! http://bit.ly/6KsfOA

@natalietweets: @TXPeddler wow! I haven’t heard any of this. But the show is humongous. You can’t see the forest through the trees here!

@USPALM: Taxi lines. Fail! If you stand in line longer than it takes to walk there, you lose!

@NRAblog: SD Press conference: “South Dakota gets it. we’re not going to regulate the firearms industry out of business.” #SHOTshow

@JCShoe: I wonder how many people will be found still wondering around the endless number of exhibit rooms long after the #shotshow is over?

@JohnBeath: Rain and floods in ‘Vegas today. Raining inside my hotel room. Got some great video interviews at SHOT Show today. www.letstalkoutdoors.net

@techaskew: OMG! I just met LTC James “Maggie” Magellas! We are Free Today because of great men like him! #SOT #shotshow

@nrohrbach: Whoever decided to make the #shotshow shuttle passengers @LuxorLV wait in an uncovered area should be fired. It’s 40 degrees and raining.

@babw: Latest musing: Seen at the 2010 SHOT Show: SHE Outdoor Apparel: While much of the SHOT Show is focused on many tra… http://bit.ly/7t4j7V

@LSwitlyk: http://tweetphoto.com/9258789 At the golden moose awards in las Vegas shot show ….unreal!!

@haioson: Tired and bored and stuck at the airport. Everything is closed and all the Shot Show people have left – there goes my people watching.

(Image via @jim7226)

We’re back with extended SHOT Show coverage … the kind that makes you feel like you’re actually there — blazing down the bustling show concourse doing meet and greets like a pro and dealing out your business cards like free all-you-can-eat buffet coupons. Er, or something like that.

Day two brought on a barrage of awesome twitpics uploaded to Twitter. Our favorite? Bacon-flavored lip balm (pictured below). According to ShakaTweet, the Shaka Laka lip balm is a limited edition that’s being distributed at the show. So, get bacon lips while you still can!

Shaka Laka's limited-edition, bacon-flavored lip balm

Our second favorite: Bonnie and the booth babes! Hey, doesn’t that sound like the name of a really good band?

Top booth babe Bonnie

There’s also tons of pictures being uploaded to the SHOT Shows Flickr photostream. Photos include pics from inside the show as well as snapshots of comedian Dennis Miller and NSSF Chairman Bob Scott from the industry dinner.

Martial arts master Steven Seagal made an appearance at the ArmorWorks booth and called the SHOT show “amazing.” “It’s probably the greatest gathering of special technology for police and military that I’ve ever seen in one place,” he said. Watch Mr. Seagal promote the aptly named “Seagal Tactical Gear” line.

Meanwhile Field & Stream, who posted this gem about booth babes last year, is broadcasting live from the show. Here’s yesterday’s footage that features new guns, gear and, um, autographed panties.

Magpul’s truck creation is also turning a lot of heads at the show. “Looks like it’s just like their gear — it’s gonna go anywhere and do anything.”

And now onto the guns… the much-hyped Smith & Wesson’s Bodyguard line.

Outdoor Channel’s Michael Bane chats up Corey Gumbert about Beretta’s new TX4 home security firearm, “a tactical shotgun with a very famous, old name on it.”

Here’s LaRue’s new OBR Lite 5.56.

Troy Industries’ latest and greatest…

Land Warrior also had some new products on display including the new M6 SPR, which we should expect to see out in the middle of 2010.

Watch Bill Wahn from First Light USA demo a pretty sweet tactical and home defense light system.

Oh, and for those who didn’t stop by the 2010 Advanced Armament SHOT Show party at the Voodoo Lounge at Rio, you missed 50 plus Maxim girls dancing like this…

And without further ado, here’s the best of SHOT Show Day Two tweets.

@JCShoe: Day two of #shotshow begins. The rain has stopped. I have fifty booths to hit. It’s going to be a busy day.

@CGPRMarblehead: Day one..of SHOT Show..done..heading into day two..lots of energy..tactical side of the business seems very healthy.. http://bit.ly/7jreoa

@robertstarling: Why is it that the food samples from the freeze dried exhibitors tastes as good or better than the pricey concession food? #shotshow #vegas

@jim7226: 1st floor level at SHOT is very crowded. Has to be a record turnout 4 the show. Somehow I always find myself walking behind S-L-O-W people.

@muelleroutdoors: At the SHOT Show today in Vegas with the crew from IMG. It appears to be much smaller this year. Sign of the times!

@wileyoutdoor: Don’t forget to come by Flextone booth #13305 at the #SHOTshow Be sure and ask about the new turkey calls!

@NRA_Rifleman: #SHOTshow photos, still warm! Lots of great products including the intriguing Taurus TCP. http://j.mp/8FfeGA #guns #firearms

@robertstarling: Local Vegas tip: Don’t blindly drop a quarter in slots. Check the payout scale; identical slots side-by-side pay different. #shotshow #vegas

@thehunterswife: I’m following @PheasantPhun @TeamHuntress for their #SHOTshow finds like this … http://tweetphoto.com/9101135 ;)

@PBBrady: #SHOT Show gets the best celebrities. I just met Eric Estrada.

@jn129: 4 hillbillies never had so much attention. The Duck Commanders signing autographs at #shotshow

@robertstarling: Definition of “Tweetpit”… trying to get signal out of the basement exhibit area of the Sands! Argh! #shotshow #vegas

@anwags: Day #2 of #shotshow. The dogs are barking, but have much more comfortable shoes on today to walk around.

@cheaperthandirt: Day 2 of #SHOTshow – the doors are open. Will get some pictures this time – gonna swing by the Bushmaster booth and drool over the ACR.

@TankaBar: Just ran out of business cards at the shot show

@jim7226: One thing about the SHOT Show. If you can dream it there’s probably already someone here selling it. Product options can be mind boggling.

@techaskew: Made some new friends and reconnected with old ones today at #shotshow. Our Troops are amazing and vendors provide them great tools! #SOT

@230grain: http://twitpic.com/z174r Once again Remington focuses their attention on the hunting market with another fudd gun. #SHOTshow #hunting

@OUTDChannel: http://twitpic.com/z11a4 – Outdoor Channel dines at Hoffbrau House in Las Vegas, NV! What a great day at SHOT! #shotshow #fb

@BullsandBeavers: Day two of the #SHOTShow Amazing energy this year & more people than I expected. Cool stuff!!!! http://bit.ly/8PZoG4

@getgrip: #Shotshow, day 2 and holding strong. Celebs showin up all over. Very impressive display of new prod. See all tomorrow!

@ptecdive: while I feel gross from #shotshow mayhem, I have tix to see #blueman group, so no need to shower twice

@jim7226: Coolest new gadget I saw at the #SHOTshow today wasn’t even being exhibited at the show. Must do some more research before I announce it.

@robertstarling: Local Vegas tip: Unless you like waiting DO NOT get in the Sands taxi line. Go to front of casino! Trust me! #shotshow #vegas @NRAblog

@230grain: @CASFR Some multicam from Arma out of LA. http://twitpic.com/z043t http://twitpic.com/z045w http://twitpic.com/z0466 #shotshow

@KestrelChick: http://znl.me/PI64B1 Cheers to our russian dealers at #shotshow ! 5′o clock!! #nra

(Images via @jonhumbert, @ShooterGifts)

If you’re not in Las Vegas, then you’re not at the No. 1 industry event of the year: SHOT Show 2010. On our sister blog, we highlighted seven things to check out at the show. Yet following the event’s kickoff, attendees have given us much more to share. They’ve been busy blogging and tweeting about, well, everything — from Asian noodles to tactical scopes. Here’s just an iota of what you’re missing out on.

As always, there’s been product launches galore including Smith & Wesson’s Bodyguard Line, Thompson/Center Arms Company’s new Muzzleloader and Youth .22 Caliber Rifle and Glock’s Glock 22 Gen4 in .40 caliber and Glock 17 Gen4 in 9X19. And if you’re looking for more updates, The NRA Blog was posting almost hourly yesterday and should follow that trend again today.

Meanwhile, we’ve collected an assortment of videos covering yesterday’s SHOT Show madness that have been uploaded in the past 24 hours. The video below comes from the Outdoor Channel featuring Bone Collector co-hosts T-Bone Turner, Nick Mundt and Michael Waddell talking guns … what else?! “It’s an animal,” says Mundt about the gun he’s holding in the video.

Jason from Vectronix introduces us to SORD, or Shooter Objective Ranging Device, which, according to CS Tactical, is already in use by Marines and SEAL Snipers.

Matt Hughes, a nine-time UFC Welterweight Champion, says hi from the U.S. Optics booth.

Here’s a quick demo of the new American Precision Arms’ Bottom Metal.

Another demo, this one of the Premier V8 1.1-8×24 CQB Tactical Scope…

And yet another demo… check out ArmaLite’s AR15 Cutaway.

Still yearning to be in the center of the action? For the remainder of the week, we’ll highlight the top SHOT Show tweets each day. Here’s our favorites from day one…

@HunTTrader: #SHOT SHOW had 70,000 people there yesterday! @HunTTrader was one of them.

@MichaelBane: #shotshow…day 1…breakfast with my friend Larry Potterfield frm Midway USA…AM Shot Show TV interviews…PM Shooting Gallery!

@ITStactical: Official SHOT Show Asian Noodles http://yfrog.com/3lfqldj

@rachellynn: @TankaBar what exactly is a “shot show” ??

@tojo912: Is sitting in his truck,wishing he Was at shot show.

@SaundersMFG: Go to our booth at the Shot Show(#8506), mention that you follow us on Twitter or Facebook — get a special FREE gift!! Retweet this!

@Glock1911: At the SHOT Show…. I have the pistol to show!

@TammyDianeSapp: Check out my report from the SHOT Show in today’s edition of The Outdoor Wire (scroll all the way down): http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/

@downrangetv: Day 1 of SHOT Show, 2010…. the busiest in a long time!: Wow. Today was the busiest SHOT Show day that I have had i… http://bit.ly/4D6dsA

@ftmeyer: Day 1 at SHOT Show 2010. AMK’s wheel of fortune giveth and it taketh. This retailer’s spin landed on the dreaded… http://bit.ly/7UfHNO

@ITStactical: SHOT Show 2010 Best of Day 1 http://ow.ly/1niviK